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Sunday, January 06, 2013

Thankful Thoughts...

I'm grateful for this time in my life...

In honor of one of my New Year's Resolutions, I am adding a Thankful Thoughts post to my blog. I'm finally home from my holiday trip to California. The plans were that we were to spend Christmas with family in California and then come home to Colorado for a New Year's celebration, but even the best laid plans get altered occasionally. My mother needed a little extra tender loving care, so I stayed another week. At one point as I was helping her, she looked at me with a smile on her face and said, "I think you've become the mother." I agreed there was a little role-reversal going on that week. I was grateful to be able to spend some time caring for her, as she has always done such a phenomenal job caring for all those around her. I'm so thankful to be in a time and place in my life when I can attend to the sudden needs of family members so readily. It's a blessing.

I'm grateful for my friend Chris...

I find it interesting in the blogging world when you can connect with someone and find friendship even though you've never met that person in "real life." There have been a number of people I've made a connection with, but none more so than Chris. Chris and I immediately found we have much in common. We both have large families, an interest in sewing and a do-it-yourself attitude, and {most important} a strong faith in God. Her comments and insightful emails always ground me to that which is most important and her kind words and sweet thoughts always bring joy to my heart.

2012 was a difficult year for our family in many ways, however, those trials and difficulties brought many blessings and a closeness to our Heavenly Father and the Savior that we might not have had otherwise. We were not only blessed with added insight and inspiration from Him, but also through the kind acts of others. Chris was often there with a sweet thought or kind word that uplifted me when I particularly needed it -- even though she was unaware at the time of our situation. I'm grateful for her friendship.

When I arrived home last night I opened a package that Chris sent me before Christmas. In it I found this...

It's a "Daily Gratitude Journal." She mentioned that she had kept a journal like this in the past year and said, "I was able to record at least one blessing each day in a special notebook. It has renewed my outlook on life, strengthened my faith in God's sovereignty, and caused me to truly rejoice daily as well as focus my attention on the eternal instead of the temporal." {Is it any wonder why I love and respect this woman?} She gave me this beautiful hand-sewn journal and encouraged me to do the same. I'm so grateful. I love the idea of ending each day with gratitude in my heart and my thankful thoughts recorded in this book! Thank you Chris for this beautiful journal and, most especially, for your friendship.

That's beautiful! I love the patchwork. I think that's a great idea. I remember when my mother started a very similar journal when she was in a dark time in her life. It helped her so much. Thanks for sharing.Lizhttp://liz-makes.blogspot.com/

Thank you for sharing such a personal gift with me (and your other readers). I, like many, had a very difficult 2012, especially the later part. Being able to read blogs like yours, where there is no malice but lots of love and sharing, has helped me in some of my darkest moments.I think the idea of a gratitude journal is wonderful and what I need at this time in my life. The ability to be able to find at least one thing a day to be grateful for, and document it, will I'm sure help me (along with my faith and family), at this time in my life.So thank you and Chris. I hope you enjoy every bit of the ginger spiced nuts.

:) WOW! What a surprise to see the journal "in print" and read such kind words. Nine years ago I knew NOTHING about blogging, but a very dear friend started a blog and encouraged me to read hers and even start my own. Well I didn't have time to start my own but enjoyed reading hers. Over time she gave me a list of blogs she enjoyed reading and yours was one on the list! I have been inspired in many areas such as sewing,gardening,cooking,DIY home projects...(the list is long), as I have read your blog and we have become friends. :) What a blessing to meet someone so far away that I may never have met were it not for blogging! I am blessed by our friendship as well!!! :) Thanks Suzanne!

I have to tell you how blessed I am to have found this blog. Not only do you sew amazingly and am willing to share, you know the Lord which is the best part. Reading about the precious journal your friend so kindly made and then gave you touched my heart. How precious friendship is and how beautiful it can become. Thank you for sharing! God bless. Cathy

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